Yesterday's Hero: Porter knows the value of football

Sunday

When Blackstone-Millville Regional elevated its football team to varsity status earlier this year, it made Medway’s Rick Porter very happy.

When Blackstone-Millville Regional elevated its football team to varsity status earlier this year, it made Medway’s Rick Porter very happy.

The 59-year-old Porter, who was the school’s principal for eight years, was part of a group that enthusiastically endorsed starting a grid program. No stranger to football, Porter was acutely aware of the valuable disciplines football can instill in students. He was a three-sport star at Medway High and a top-notch cornerback at Boston University. He even signed a professional contract with Memphis of the World Football League.

Before graduating from Medway in 1971, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Porter competed as a tailback and defensive back in football, a guard in basketball, and a sprinter and weight man in track.

Consider his achievements at Medway High:

n Played on two Tri-Valley League championship teams in football.

n Led all football players in the greater Milford area in scoring with 124 points.

n Led Medway in interceptions as a sophomore with eight.

n Rushed for 1,000 yards as a senior.

n Was a TVL all-star eight times in three sports.

n Averaged 19 points during his basketball career.

n Set records in the javelin, triple jump and hurdles.

n Was featured in Faces in the Crowd in Sports Illustrated.

"The titles in football were a thrill and leading the area in scoring was an honor," Porter said. "It’s always nice to be part of a successful team, but there were other teammates and coaches who deserve credit. Coaches like Hal Ryder, Bill O’Donnell and Eric Sidman motivated and inspired me."

Now retired, Porter is sure that BMR students will enjoy the lessons football teaches and he’s ecstatic the sport went from junior varsity to varsity status in one season. He also is convinced that football will cultivate attributes like desire and dedication among the players.

"During my eight years as principal, I got lots of letters and phone calls from fans eager to get a program organized," Porter said. "Last year’s JV team went 5-4 and had a great year. I know the two towns were excited about starting football and I knew the interest would keep building. I was pleasantly surprised at how much they improved every week. Having that first year of experience bodes well for the future."

Porter, who mulled a dozen offers to play Division I football, attended Boston University on a full scholarship. He was a three-year starter at cornerback and was a captain his senior season.

"I led the team in interceptions as a senior and felt fortunate to win the Tom Gastall Award," Porter noted. "That award was for being the most valuable back. I also was chosen as an alternate for the Blue-Gray all-star game."

A science and physical education major, Porter graduated from BU in 1975, then signed a $40,000 contract to play for Memphis.

"I got to training camp, but suffered a hamstring injury," he said. "I was penciled in as a starter at cornerback, but was told to go home, rehab, then return. The league was having trouble staying afloat and folded before I ever got back to Memphis."

Porter then joined the Bellingham faculty, teaching science and health for 25 years. He became head of the Wellness Department and earned a masters in administration from Fitchburg State. He also was an assistant in football and coached girls track for 12 years.

Porter, who is married and has three sons, joined the Milford High staff as an assistant principal for four years before becoming principal at BMR in 2003.

"When I arrived at BMR, I was fortunate to have a dedicated staff, good teachers and excellent coaches,’’ Porter emphasized.

And, he was fortunate to be surrounded by supportive people who were pro-active in the drive to start football at a school where it was dormant for 43 years.

"Our superintendent (Kim Shaver-Hood) was very positive about a new program," Porter said. "And others, like Keith Ducharme (assistant principal), Tim Johnson (athletic director) and booster club parents all worked hard to make football a reality. When we didn’t have football, it was sad to know 30-40 boys went home instead of being involved in an excellent extra-curricular activity. I’m glad that’s changed."

What’s also changed is Porter’s daily routine. He enjoys going to the gym, working as a golf ranger part-time, traveling, reading and completing projects around his house.

The solid disciplines Porter learned as an athlete, however, will never be lost. He recalled a telling incident from his days at Medway.

"I remember a track meet against Dover-Sherborn," Porter noted. "Their guy threw the javelin 180 feet and my best had been 175. On my last throw, I reached 183 feet and won the event. It just goes to show that you can surpass your limit when pushed. I often told our faculty at BMR staff meetings to be careful not to limit yourself when you set objectives."

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